Chapter 553: Frank Alliance

The secret letter and warning brought by Shi Dun stirred up layer upon layer of restless waves in Yue Fei's heart.

After seeing Shi Dun off, he did not immediately rest, nor did he summon other officers.

He simply remained alone in the tent, facing the oil lamp about to burn out, silent for a long time.

The handwriting on the paper and Shi Dun's solemn words matched the increasingly harsh tone of the recent Imperial Court.

The increasingly urgent gold-plated imperial edicts, and the occasional interceptions in the camp.

Fragmentary news about the political climate in Facing Peace gradually pieced together into a picture that sent chills down one's spine.

«Fengbo Pavilion……baseless……»

Yue Fei repeated those two words in a low voice, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

Yue Fei asked himself, feeling no guilt in his heart, no guilt toward the state.

On the battlefield, his sole aim was to expel the barbarians and restore the old territories.

Why, the greater his merit, the sharper his troops, the chill from the rear grows ever heavier?

He recalled the indignation of Elder Marshal Zong Ze, who on his deathbed thrice cried «Cross the river», and the helplessness of Li Gang and other pro-war ministers who were sidelined and demoted.

Could this be some chronic ailment that plagues the Great Song court and cannot be shaken off?

Anyone who truly wishes to act and is capable of acting cannot escape suspicion and factional strife?

The analysis of Mr. Chen of the Northward Aspiration Army, though not explicitly stated, directly points to the core.

——His very existence, his continual victories, have become a nail that certain people must pull out.

«I will not bow my neck to slaughter……»

Yue Fei murmured his promise to Shi Dun, his gaze gradually turning icy and resolute.

He can obey reasonable orders, and can yield for the greater good.

But he will never sit and wait for death, letting the blood of the cause to resist Gold and his soldiers become a sacrifice in the power struggles of treacherous men.

The hand extended by the Northward Aspiration Army is especially crucial at this moment.

It is not merely a possible retreat, but also an ideological recognition and support.

——They too share the goal of looking north to the Central Plains and expelling the barbarians.

Yet they seem to have found a path less constrained by the manipulations of a corrupt Imperial Court.

The next day, Yue Fei, on the pretext of inspecting defenses and discussing tactics against False Qi harassment,

took with him Yue Yun, Zhang Xian, and a few other absolute confidants to a more forward and concealed outpost.

Shi Dun and his few subordinates were already waiting here. This meeting was more secretive, smaller in scope, and would delve deeper into topics.

Without much small talk, Yue Fei got straight to the point.

«General Shi, what you said yesterday, I have pondered at length. »

«Mr. Chen and the lofty righteousness of the Northward Aspiration Army, I feel admiration in my heart. »

«However, as a Song general, my actions are often entangled. »

«If we are to join forces, we must know each other's abilities better, and must clearly state that this cooperation is absolutely not betraying the Song, but solely to resist Gold. »

«Only to leave a sliver of survival and a capacity to counterattack amidst the treacherous officials who surround us. »

These words both expressed his stance and drew a bottom line.

Shi Dun nodded to show understanding.

«General Yue, rest assured. Our lord has long declared that aiding General Yue is aiding the great cause to resist Gold. »

«It is also to shatter the invisible black hand that seeks to drag China back onto the humiliating old path. »

«The Northward Aspiration Army has no intention of making General Yue change his flags; we only wish to be a pair of eyes behind him and a helping hand. »

«When the marshal needs it, we provide what the Imperial Court cannot or will not give. »

He paused, then decided to reveal part of deeper information to increase persuasiveness, but needed to rephrase it.

«Marshal, do not hide it from me: our lord's ability to repeatedly anticipate enemy moves and remain so vigilant about the Imperial Court's movements»

«aside from the Investigation Network, it is also because of his profound understanding of the enemy that secretly manipulates the great trend, far beyond ordinary people. »

Shi Dun weighed his words.

«This enemy is neither Gold nor Qi, but a force more hidden, more powerful, intending to make the world run along a «track» they have set. »

«Some people in the Imperial Court may already have been bewitched or driven by it. »

«Their goal is precisely to eliminate variables like the marshal, who can break their «track». »

Yue Fei and his confidants, upon hearing this, all showed surprise and suspicion.

This discourse already borders on the mystical.

But thinking of the Iron Crow Army's elusive and crafty «Lurking Shadow»,

and the Imperial Court's recent irrational moves, they cannot help but feel wary.

«Set the track? Eliminate the variable? »

Zhang Xian couldn't help but frown.

«General Shi's words, are they not……»

«General Zhang, do you know why, after the False Song court fled south, »

«many figures and schools of thought that should have only emerged decades later either vanished or were distorted? »

Shi Dun interrupted him, throwing out another question.

«Time seems to have been sped up by an invisible hand; many reform sprouts that could have been gradually nurtured were brutally choked off. »

«This is one of the means by which that force accelerates the «script» and trims the «branches». »

«Marshal Yue's glorious exploits and his steadfast resolve to look north have already become, in their eyes, a thick branch that must be pruned. »

This metaphor, combined with the unexplained silence of many outstanding talents in court and countryside in recent years,

The phenomenon of certain policies that could have been effective being shelved away left Yue Fei and others lost in thought.

Some things, when one is in the midst of them, just feel awkward.

Being pierced by this point of Shi Dun actually gave a creepy sense of continuity.

Therefore!

Shi Dun concluded.

My lord assists the Marshal, both for righteousness and to oppose these enemies who manipulate fate.

This transcends the conflict of one dynasty and one surname.

The tent fell silent. The information in those words was too much, needing time to digest.

After a long while, Yue Fei slowly exhaled, his eyes sharp as a blade.

Even so, Yue Fei still needs to see it to believe it. What does the Northward Aspiration Army rely on to dare speak of opposing such strange power?

And what tangible aid could it offer Yue Fei?

It's time to show some of our strength.

Shi Dun gestured to a subordinate behind him.

That subordinate stepped forward.

He untied the thick cloth bundle wrapped in a long shape on his back, placed it on the ground, and carefully opened it.

Inside were two implements.

One is an improved 'Devil-Subduing Crossbow', slightly larger than an ordinary hand crossbow.

Its structure is obviously more complex and refined, with dark patterns on the crossbow body.

The other is a bronze bell the size of a fist, shaped like a flat bell.

Its surface is engraved with fine cloud patterns, and at its center hangs a small black jade pendant—this is the 'Soul-Calming Bell'.

This is the latest product of the Northward Aspiration Army's workshop.

Shi Dun picked up the Devil-Subduing Crossbow and skillfully loaded a specially made bolt case.

It can fire five bolts in succession, with range and power far exceeding that of an ordinary hand crossbow.

Its bolts are specially crafted, giving extra armor-piercing and neutralizing effects against the yin energy—that is, the corrosive energy spawned by that evil force.

He did not explain the principle in detail, only emphasizing the effect.

He then pointed to the Soul-Calming Bell.

This object, when hung at a vital point in the camp or carried by an elite squad, will emit a faint sound to warn when it senses specific mental corruption or bewitching fluctuations.

Its sound waves also have a weak calming effect on the mind and can dispel mental obstructions.

When dealing with the enemy's strange tactics, it may produce remarkable results.

For the demonstration, Shi Dun had a subordinate set up a wooden target draped in old leather armor twenty paces away.

He raised the Devil-Subduing Crossbow and took a brief aim.

Dun dun dun dun dun!

Five short, muffled mechanical clicks sounded almost in a line, and five bolts of black light shot forth like lightning!

Tak tak tak tak tak!

The old leather armor on the wooden target was instantly pierced with five holes; the bolts sank deep into the earthen wall behind, their feathers still trembling.

The speed and power were such that even Yue Yun and Zhang Xian, accustomed to strong bows and heavy crossbows, were moved.

Shi Dun then signaled another subordinate to shake the Soul-Calming Bell.

The bell did not ring clear, but emitted a low, continuous 'hum', not loud.

Yet hearing it made one's mind involuntarily clear, stray thoughts fading.

These two items, we can initially provide fifty each as a gift to Marshal Yue for personal protection and dispelling evil.

Shi Dun said.

Furthermore, food, medicinal herbs, cold-resistant supplies, and even partial design schematics for equipment to counter the Jin's iron pagodas can be delivered subsequently.

Our forces harassing the Jin in North River, East Mountain, and elsewhere can also coordinate with your strategy to disperse enemy pressure.

These genuine weapons, together with the promise of continuous material aid and strategic coordination, carry more weight than any empty alliance slogan.

Yue Fei carefully inspected the Devil-Subduing Crossbow and the Soul-Calming Bell.

Especially the patterns on the crossbow body that he could not comprehend but felt extraordinary, and the bell's special material and sound.

Although he did not fully understand the principle, he could sense the technical capability and targeting represented behind these implements.

More importantly, the Northward Aspiration Army demonstrated a problem‑solving mindset and capability, not mere talk.

He set down the Devil-Subduing Crossbow, looked up at Shi Dun, finally nodded slowly, and spoke solemnly:

Mr. Chen's kindness, the strength of the Northward Aspiration Army—I have witnessed it today.

Both for resisting the Jin, and for opposing that hidden mastermind, and more for the tens of thousands of troops under my command who wish to follow me north to recover our lost lands…

Fei, I wish to form a secret strategic pact with the Northward Aspiration Army—sharing information, mutual material aid, and coordinated strategy.

But should there be a need, as long as it does not violate the righteous cause of resisting the Jin nor openly betray the Song, I will spare no effort to cooperate.

Shi Dun felt a great weight lift from his chest, and he respectfully clasped his fists.

Marshal Yue understands the great righteousness!

My lord, upon hearing this, will surely feel deeply relieved.

The specific details of cooperation, contact methods, material handoff points, and signals.

We will work out the specifics together with the Marshal and the generals shortly.

The atmosphere in the tent, from the initial solemn probing, finally turned toward practicality and a faint excitement.

A secret bond linking the Northward Aspiration Army and the Yue family army was quietly forged in this forward outpost.

Although the road ahead remains misty and layered, danger lurks everywhere.

But at least for now, they are no longer a lone boat sailing against the current.